Tuesday, January 31, 2012

1.31.11--reason 31

Antibiotics.

Because when your middle child crawls into your bed in the wee hours of the morning crying because of yet another ear infection, all any parent wants is to be able to take that pain away.

Monday, January 30, 2012

1.30.12--reason 30

DIY.

Because when I've been on a rather unsuccessful hunt for the perfect little denim skirt and ultimately decided to repurpose a pair of old jeans I never wear with grand success, it feels good. And cheap. And resourceful. And I did it less than an hour. Yay me!

Sunday, January 29, 2012

1.29.12--Reason 29

Family time at the zoo.

Because family outings are the BEST, especially when my brother and sister-in-law and nephew join us. And watching Edie pinch her nose at the stinky animals is actually kind of funny.

Saturday, January 28, 2012

1.28.12--Reason 28

That my kids show every sign of being crafty, too.

Because I adore when I come across one or more of them engaging in some creative activity they've devised on their own, like these princess puppets Edie made. Rapunzel and her tower, along with Pascal the chameleon and a visit from Belle. Apparently the beast lets her out for a little girl time every now and then.

Friday, January 27, 2012

1.27.12--Reason 27

Hangin' with my homies.

Because these little people are the bomb. And because I love nothing more than some quality time with 1, 2, and 3.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

1.26.12--Reason 26

Sisterhood.

Because whether you have sisters by blood or just great friends who are practically family that you know you can always count on, there's nothing quite like the girl power between sisters.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

1.25.12--Reason 25

Summer days in January.

Because there really is nothing like that first truly warm day in a while, where you drive with the windows down and the sun beats down on your arm and the radio's blaring some really catchy tune and you sing along, really loud, and you think to yourself as you toss your hair in the warm breeze, "I could SO win American Idol right now..."

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

1.24.12--Reason 24

This guy.

Because when I'm on day three of a major migraine, he walks through the door after working all day and begins making dinner for all of us, no apologies needed, thank you very much. I love this dude.

Monday, January 23, 2012

1.23.12--Reason 23

Silver linings.

Because it does seem that even when we are down we are never truly out. And I make it a point to always at least try and see the upside of every situation. It's not always easy, but I generally find it's worth the effort.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

1.22.12--Reason 22

The opening of the strawberry stands.

Because there's nothing better than fresh strawberry shortcake, and those first berries of the season are so very red and delicious and just seem to hint of warm summer days ahead. Ah, Southern California...

Saturday, January 21, 2012

1.21.12--Reason 21

Quiet rainy Saturday mornings.

Because, for at least a little while, in the quiet house while the kids are not yet awake, it seems like time stops; the pattering of the rain is the only sound I hear. But I know that soon the kids will rise and the house will fill with their joyful noise... And when i think about it, that would be another thing I am thankful for today.

Friday, January 20, 2012

1.20.12--Reason 20

Wine.

Because there's nothing I like better than unwinding at the end of the day with a glass, particularly with a good friend and even better conversation.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

1.19.12--Reason 19

Nightly reading sessions with my kids.

Because I have done it since they were small, and I think I have managed to make book lovers of them all. And the best part is when, after seeing a film adaptation of something we've read, they generally will agree that the book is always better. Aces, baby.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

1.18.12--Reason 18

The magic of hair dye.

Because I am 40 but refuse to go gray gracefully. Like that old beauty ad said, I intend to fight it every step of the way.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

1.17.12--Reason 17

When best friends come to visit.

Because even when your BFF moves away, you know in your heart she's always there for you. And you know that the miles between you can't diminish the strength of what you have.

Monday, January 16, 2012

1.16.12--Reason 16

That I live in a country where I have freedom and where equality is the right of everyone.

Because there are so many places in this little planet of ours where freedom and equality are merely fantastical dreams and nowhere near a reality. And because I hope that I teach my children to never, ever take that freedom for granted.

"at the center of non-violence stands the principle of love." -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

1.15.12--Reason 15

The way my kids (usually) get along.

Because they remind me so much of my brother and me as kids, and because when they aren't bickering, it's like magic.

Saturday, January 14, 2012

1.14.12--Reason 14

Family game night.

Because being goofy with the kids is so much more fun than just about anything else I could ever want to do on a Saturday night. And sharing it with a few good friends just makes it that much better. (in case you were wondering, Edie won the game.)

Friday, January 13, 2012

1.13.12--Reason 13

Taking back the morning.

Because, really, is there anything better than hanging out in your robe and jammies on a chilly winter morning, eating donuts and catching up on one's favorite morning cartoons? I think not.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

1.12.12--Reason 12

History in the making.

Because 30 years ago my husband (along with all the other kids in his school) put a letter in a time capsule at their new school's dedication ceremony. And today, celebrating the school's birthday, they opened it. And my kids were beyond thrilled and proud that their dad is part of that unique, historical moment.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

1.11.12--Reason 11

My being a very crafty person.

Because, to me, there is nothing quite so satisfying as creating something from a lot of other somethings (or, in many cases, a lot of nothings). And working with my hands and being crafty is the one thing I could never, ever give up. And because I love the look on people's faces (and the appreciation) when they receive something handcrafted. Makes my heart feel full.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

1.10.12--Reason 10

My crafty, handy dad.

Because whether I ask him if he can make wood buttons or a super epic custom loft bed for my son or just about anything else that can be made from wood and power tools, he is always happy to oblige. I like to think I got a lot of my own creative spirit from him.

Monday, January 9, 2012

1.9.12--Reason 9

Kids going back to school after winter break.

Because the two weeks that they were home were colossally hectic and fun and noisy and boisterous and messy and chaotic and exciting and felt more like a month than two weeks, and I am tired. And with Isla at her grandma's today, the house has been blissfully, peacefully quiet all day, and I am in heaven.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

1.8.12 -- Reason 8

My husband's culinary skill.

Because whether it's his amazing smoked salmon or his chorizo/pepper pizza or some other delightful flight of cooking fancy, the man has some serious skills.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

1.7.12 -- Reason 7

Coffee.

Lots of cream, no sugar. Because it makes me a much more pleasant person in the morning. And because the ritual of it -- the prepping and brewing and stirring and sipping -- as well as the conversations one can have while enjoying it -- are among life's greatest, guilt-free pleasures.

Friday, January 6, 2012

1.6.12 — Reason 6

























technology.

Because video calling (or Facetime) is no longer relegated to that mythical future that included jetpacks and flying cars but is instead a reality. Which means I can see my mom and dad's smiling faces and they can blow kisses to the kids. Not EXACTLY like actually being together, but pretty darn amazing anyway.

Trying something new

So I've been thinking a lot about resolutions, and things I'd like to see myself do more of, or less of, or whatever. I read an interesting article recently about a person who wrote a thank you letter every day for a year, which made me think that might be something worth doing. And then I thought about my one (failed) attempt at posting a picture a day for a year, which ended somewhere around day 20 I think. And then I thought about how badly I've been neglecting this blog. And then I thought perhaps I could combine those efforts.

Now, it may be that I don't actually POST these every day (I may post two or three days' worth at a time, as I'm going to do right now to catch up to today, the 6th of January) — but my goal is to photograph something — and then say why I am thankful for it — every day of 2012. And at the end, I just may have it bound into a little book for posterity.

Or, who knows? Maybe this attempt will fail — badly and, since I am stating my purpose here and now, publicly. But this is my goal, and this is what I am going to try and do. So stay tuned!

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

1.4.12 — Reason 4

























this girl.

Because she is funny and smart and clever and silly and curious and eager and independent and perfect in just about every way.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

1.3.12 — Reason 3

























that ragamuffin.

Because I'm still amazed that she's here. Because she surprises me so much, every day. And I get to kiss those delectable cheeks whenever the moment strikes me — which it does, often.

Monday, January 2, 2012

1.2.12 — Reason 2


mugging for the camera.

Because silliness is fun. And because capturing these moments seems so much more important the older I get. 

Sunday, January 1, 2012

1.1.12 — Reason 1


























Ocean sunsets on new year's day.


Because it’s there. And it’s perfect. And it’s amazing to me that I live in such close proximity to paradise, and contemplating other people suffering through bleak mid-winters makes me even more thankful that I don’t have to.